ANZAC DAY IN LONDON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20900, 16 June 1931, Page 13

ANZAC DAY IN LONDON.

COMMEMORATION SERVICES. WREATHS FROM NEW ZEALAND. [FROM ont OWN' CORRESI'ONDENT.] LONDON. May 1. In spito of the heavy showers of rain on Anzac Day tho church in the Strand on the island site was practically fdled by a congregation met to tako part in the Gallipoli commemoration service. Only a few seats at tho sides were left vacant. Considering that torrential rain had been falling at intervals all tho morning tho full attendance clearly demonstrated that this annual service will not be discontinued for many years to come.

The interior of St. Clement Danes was decorated with even more lavish care than in previous years. Along tho front of tho choir in rich profusion wero hydrangeas, lilies, white tulips and white irises. The white was relieved by a few yellow daffodils. On each side of tho middle aisle wore sprays of gypsophila and ferns with white irises, narcissi, whito tulips and daffodils. The Australian and New Zealand (lags hung from the rafters above tho choir.

In tho congregation were Sir Jan Hamilton and the High Commissioners for Australia and Now Zealand. Tho lessons were read by the High Commissioners, The hymns, " 0 Cod, Our Help in Ages Past," " Nearer, My Ood, to Thee," and " Jesu, Lover of My Soul," were included in the order of service. Tho Now Zealand soprano Miss Gladys Lorimer gave the solo (Gounod's "Ave Maria"), and tho psalms wero those boginning, " I will lift, up mine eyes unto tho hills" and " Tho Lord is my Shepherd." The clergy and choir, followed by tho High Commissioners and ex-mom'bers of tho Australian and Now Zealand Forces, walked in procession to the war shrine at the side of the church, where the two High Commissioners laid wreaths in memory of tlioso who fell at, Gallipoli. lho New Zealand wreath consisted o! a circle of anemones and violas, with sprays of pink roses, pink carnations, blue irises and lilies of the valley.

After tho service a number of wroaths were laid at the Cenotaph. 'I he High Commissioners deposited wreaths, in conjunction with the laying of wreaths from the British Navy and Army, the "Glorious 29th Division " and the French Corps. Sir Thomas Wilford placed "no wreath on behalf of the New Zealand Forces and another, sent from New Zealand in a block of ice, on behalf of tho Returned Soldiers' Association. Lady Wilford placed on the Cenotaph two wreaths sent in ice, ono from tho Mothers' Union of Auckland and the other from the Now Plymouth branch of the Victoria League. in the afternoon, Mrs. I von A. Watkins, of Christchui-ch, placed a floral cross on tho Unknown Warrior's Grave in Westminster Abbey, This she did on beliall of tho Auckland Mothers' Union. Colonel Bernard Myers represented the High Commissioner for New Zealand at the service at the New Zealand section of the cemetery at Walton-on-Thames. lie was accompanied by Mr. Staples-Brown, who was adjutant at the Mount I'olix Hospital when Dr. Myers was medical officer.